Three-pass torque converter having multiple flow passages

ABSTRACT

A torque converter comprising a cover arranged to receive torque, an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover, and a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell is provided. In embodiments, the torque converter includes a lock-up clutch including a piston plate, an output hub connected to the turbine shell and arranged to non-rotatably connect to a transmission input shaft, and a seal plate disposed, at least partially, axially between the piston plate and the turbine shell, wherein the seal plate is connected to the cover and the piston plate. A flow plate may be connected to the seal plate and disposed axially between the seal plate and the turbine shell. A through-bore may be bounded in first and second opposite radial directions by the seal plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/977,120 filed Feb. 14, 2020, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to torque converters and morespecifically to torque converters having multiple flow passages tosupply fluid to pressure chambers.

BACKGROUND

Many vehicles include a launch device between the engine and thetransmission. A torque converter is a type of launch device commonlyused in vehicles having an automatic transmission. A typical torqueconverter includes an impeller fixed to the crankshaft of the engine anda turbine fixed to a turbine shaft, which is the input to thetransmission. To improve fuel economy, most torque converters include abypass or lock-up clutch that mechanically couples the turbine shaft toa case of the torque converter to bypass the fluid coupling. Torqueconverters may have multiple flow passages for clutch apply and release.It is known to use cross-flow hubs for providing flow paths for clutchapply and release pressure chambers. However, these cross-flow hubs maybe expensive and add complexity to a torque converter design.Accordingly, it is desirable to provide alternative methods forproviding fluid flow paths to pressurized chambers of a torqueconverter.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a torque converter comprising acover arranged to receive torque, an impeller having an impeller shellnon-rotatably connected to the cover, and a turbine in fluidcommunication with the impeller and including a turbine shell. Inembodiments, the torque converter includes a lock-up clutch including apiston plate, an output hub connected to the turbine shell and arrangedto non-rotatably connect to a transmission input shaft, and a seal platedisposed, at least partially, axially between the piston plate and theturbine shell, wherein the seal plate is connected to the cover and thepiston plate. A flow plate may be connected to the seal plate anddisposed axially between the seal plate and the turbine shell. Athrough-bore may be bounded in first and second opposite radialdirections by the seal plate, wherein a first chamber is bounded atleast in part by the piston plate and the seal plate and a secondchamber is bounded at least in part by the cover, the seal plate, andthe piston plate. In embodiments, a rivet connects the seal plate withthe flow plate and the through-bore is defined within the rivet.

In embodiments, a first flow path may be configured to provide fluid tothe first chamber, wherein the first flow path includes a portionbounded in part by the seal plate and the flow plate. A second flow pathmay be configured to provide fluid to the second chamber, wherein thesecond flow path passes through the through-bore and includes a portionbounded in part by the flow plate and the output hub. In embodiments,the first flow path is sealed from the second flow path and the firstflow path does not pass through the through-bore. The seal plate mayalso include an opening extending axially therethrough and the firstflow path passes through the opening into the first chamber, which maybe radially outside of the through-bore. Moreover, the output hub mayinclude an opening extending axially therethrough and the second flowpath passes through the opening.

In embodiments, for a lock-up mode the piston plate is non-rotatablyconnected to the cover and pressurized fluid is arranged to flow throughthe first flow path into the first chamber to displace the piston platein an axial direction toward the cover. In other embodiments, for atorque converter mode pressurized fluid is arranged to flow through thesecond flow path passing through the through-bore into the secondchamber to displace the piston plate in an axial direction away from thecover to disconnect the piston plate from the cover. In embodiments, aninner end of the cover is connected to the seal plate and the seal plateis further connected to the piston plate at an outer diameter thereof.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide the advantageous benefit of reducedcosts and complexity of three-pass torque converters, for example, byremoving a hub that is typically used to direct flow to appropriateapply and cooling circuits. Furthermore, embodiments disclosed hereinoffer design advantages by creating a cross-flow configuration withoutany forgings or costly cross drilling operations. Moreover, embodimentsdisclosed herein allow for use of a twin plate clutch design, whichrequires higher clutch load.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a torque converter configured forcross flow to pressure chambers according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an area of the torque converter shown inFIG. 1 showing cross flow to pressure chambers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It should beappreciated that like drawing numbers appearing in different drawingviews identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements.Also, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merelyexamples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms.The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could beexaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components.Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representativebasis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ theembodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand,various features illustrated and described with reference to any one ofthe figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or moreother figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustratedor described. The combinations of features illustrated providerepresentative embodiments for typical applications. Variouscombinations and modifications of the features consistent with theteachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particularapplications or implementations.

FIG. 1 shows a torque converter 100 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of an area oftorque converter 100 showing cross flow into pressure chambers. Thefollowing description is made with reference to FIGS. 1-2. Torqueconverter 100 includes: axis of rotation AR; cover 102 arranged toreceive torque; impeller 104; turbine 106; lock up clutch 108; outputhub 110; flow plate 112; and seal plate 114 non-rotatably connected tocover 102. Impeller 104 includes: impeller shell 116 non-rotatablyconnected to cover 102; and at least one impeller blade 118. Turbine 106includes: turbine shell 120 non-rotatably connected to hub 110; and atleast one turbine blade 122. Lock-up clutch 108 includes piston plate124. Torque converter 100 includes: apply chamber 126; release chamber128; and chamber 130. By “non-rotatably connected” components, we meanthat: the components are connected so that whenever one of thecomponents rotate, all the components rotate; and relative rotationbetween the components is not possible. Radial and/or axial movement ofnon-rotatably connected components with respect to each other ispossible, but not required.

Flow plate 112 is non-rotatably connected to seal plate 114. Forexample, flow plate 112 may be fixed to seal plate 114 by weld 132 at aradially outer end. However, it is to be understood that otherconnection methods may be employed, such as use of an O-ring,steel-steel connection, or a gasket. Chamber 126 is bounded, at least inpart, by piston plate 124 and seal plate 114. Chamber 128 is bounded, atleast in part, by cover 102, seal plate 114, and piston plate 124.Chamber 130 is bounded, at least in part, by seal plate 114 and shell116. By “bounded in part,” we mean that a portion of the cited chamber,flow path, or other structure is bounded, or formed, by the citedelement.

Seal plate 114 includes through-bore 134 bounded in opposite radialdirections RD1 and RD2, orthogonal to axis AR, by seal plate 114.Through-bore bore 134 is further defined by flow plate 112 and is alsobounded in opposite radial directions RD1 and RD2 by flow plate 112. Inan example embodiment: torque converter 100 includes rivet 136connecting seal plate 114 and flow plate 112, wherein through-bore 134passes through, or is defined within, rivet 136. Torque converter 100includes flow path 138 and flow path 140. Flow path 140 is sealed fromflow path 138 and includes, that is, passes through, through-bore 134.That is, flow path 140 includes through-bore 134. Flow path 138 does notpass through through-bore 134. Flow path 140 further includes, that is,passes through opening 142 defined in hub 110. That is, pressurizedfluid may flow through opening 142 and through-bore 134 into chamber128. Flow path 140 may further be bounded, at least in part, by flowplate 112 and hub 110. Flow path 138 is bounded, at least in part, byseal plate 114 and flow plate 112. That is, flow path 138 passes orflows between seal plate 114 and flow plate 112. Seal plate 114 and/orflow plate 112 may include grooves for flow therebetween. Flow path 138passes through opening 144 defined in seal plate 114 that opens intoapply chamber 126. That is, pressurized fluid may be supplied fromtransmission input shaft 143 to flow path 138 extending between sealplate 114 and flow plate 112 through opening 144 into apply chamber 126.In this way, flow path 138 includes, and passes through, opening 144.

For a lock-up mode for torque converter 100, in which piston plate 124is non-rotatably connected to cover 102 and the torque is transmitted tohub 110 through clutch 108, Pressurized fluid is arranged to flowthrough flow path 138, and passing through opening 144, into applychamber 126 to displace piston plate in axial direction AD1 to connectpiston plate 124 with cover 102 bypassing the hydrodynamic fluidcoupling. For a torque converter mode for torque converter 100, in whichcover 102 is rotatable with respect to piston plate 124 and the torquebypasses clutch 108, pressurized fluid is arranged to flow through flowpath 140, including passing through opening 142 and through-bore 134,into release chamber 128 to displace piston plate 124 in axial directionAD2, opposite direction AD1, to disconnect piston plate 124 from cover102.

In an example embodiment, torque converter 100 includes seals 146, 148.Seal 146 seals an outer diameter of seal plate 114 to an outer end ofpiston plate 124 and seal 148 seals an inner diameter of piston plate124 to seal plate 114. Seal plate 114 is disposed, at least partially,axially between piston plate 124 and turbine shell 120. Seal plate 114further includes a portion axially aligned with piston plate 124. Thatis, a line orthogonal to axis of rotation AR and passing through thatportion of the seal plate would also pass through a portion of pistonplate 124. Piston plate 124 is further connected to seal plate 114, forexample, by connection 150, which may be a leaf-spring and/or rivetedconnection. Seal plate 114 may further be connected to an inner diameteror end of cover 102. Flow plate 112 may further be piloted on inputshaft 143 via bushing 152.

In an example embodiment, torque converter 100 includes: stator 160 withat least one stator blade 162; one-way clutch 164; torsional vibrationdamper 166; and pendulum vibration absorber 168. Damper 166 includesinput plate 170, at least one spring 172, spring retainer plate 174, atleast one spring 176, and output flange 178. Spring 172 is engaged withplates 170 and 174. Spring 176 is engaged with plate 174 and flange 178.Absorber 168 is connected to plate 174 and flange 178 is connected tohub 110. Flange 178 may be formed integrally with hub 110. That is,flange 178 and output hub 110 may be formed as a single piece. Turbineshell 120 may be connected to flange 178, for example, via a rivetedconnection. Plate 174 may be centered on flange 178 and washer 180 maybe disposed between flow plate 112 and plate 174 and clipped to plate174.

In an example embodiment, clutch 108 includes clutch plate 186 axiallydisposed between cover 102 and piston plate 124. Clutch plate 186 isnon-rotatably connected to plate 170 and connected to spring 172.Friction material 188 may be disposed between, and affixed to one of,cover 102 and clutch plate 186. Friction material 190 may be disposedbetween, and affixed to one of, clutch plate 186 and piston plate 124.

Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide variousadvantages including cost reductions by creating a cross flowconfiguration without any forgings or costly cross drilling operations.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims.The words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Aspreviously described, the features of various embodiments can becombined to form further embodiments of the disclosure that may not beexplicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments couldhave been described as providing advantages or being preferred overother embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one ormore desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the artrecognize that one or more features or characteristics can becompromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which dependon the specific application and implementation. These attributes caninclude, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cyclecost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability,weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extentany embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodimentsor prior art implementations with respect to one or morecharacteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of thedisclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   -   100 torque converter    -   102 cover    -   104 impeller    -   106 turbine    -   108 lock-up clutch    -   110 output hub    -   112 flow plate    -   114 seal plate    -   116 impeller shell    -   118 impeller blade    -   120 turbine shell    -   122 turbine blade    -   124 piston plate    -   126 apply chamber    -   128 release chamber    -   130 chamber    -   132 weld    -   134 through-bore    -   136 rivet    -   138 flow path    -   140 flow path    -   142 opening    -   143 transmission input shaft    -   144 opening    -   146 seal    -   148 seal    -   150 connection    -   152 bushing    -   160 stator    -   162 one stator blade    -   164 one-way clutch    -   166 torsional vibration damper    -   168 pendulum vibration absorber    -   170 input plate    -   172 spring    -   174 spring retainer plate    -   176 spring    -   178 output flange    -   180 washer    -   186 clutch plate    -   188 friction material    -   190 friction material

What is claimed is:
 1. A torque converter, comprising: a cover arrangedto receive torque; an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatablyconnected to the cover; a turbine in fluid communication with theimpeller and including a turbine shell; a lock-up clutch including apiston plate; an output hub connected to the turbine shell and arrangedto non-rotatably connect to a transmission input shaft; a seal platedisposed, at least partially, axially between the piston plate and theturbine shell, wherein the seal plate is connected to the cover and thepiston plate; a flow plate connected to the seal plate and disposedaxially between the seal plate and the turbine shell; and a through-borebounded in first and second opposite radial directions by the sealplate, wherein a first chamber is bounded at least in part by the pistonplate and the seal plate and a second chamber is bounded at least inpart by the cover, the seal plate, and the piston plate.
 2. The torqueconverter according to claim 1, further comprising: a first flow pathconfigured to provide fluid to the first chamber, wherein the first flowpath includes a portion bounded in part by the seal plate and the flowplate; and a second flow path configured to provide fluid to the secondchamber, wherein the second flow path passes through the through-boreand includes a portion bounded in part by the flow plate and the outputhub.
 3. The torque converter according to claim 2, wherein the firstflow path is sealed from the second flow path.
 4. The torque converteraccording to claim 2, wherein the first flow path does not pass throughthe through-bore.
 5. The torque converter according to claim 2, whereinthe seal plate includes an opening extending axially therethrough andthe first flow path passes through the opening into the first chamber.6. The torque converter according to claim 5, wherein the opening isradially outside of the through-bore.
 7. The torque converter accordingto claim 2, wherein the output hub includes an opening extending axiallytherethrough and the second flow path passes through the opening.
 8. Thetorque converter according to claim 2, wherein for a lock-up mode thepiston plate is non-rotatably connected to the cover and pressurizedfluid is arranged to flow through the first flow path into the firstchamber to displace the piston plate in an axial direction toward thecover.
 9. The torque converter according to claim 2, wherein for atorque converter mode pressurized fluid is arranged to flow through thesecond flow path passing through the through-bore into the secondchamber to displace the piston plate in an axial direction away from thecover to disconnect the piston plate from the cover.
 10. The torqueconverter according to claim 1, wherein an inner end of the cover isconnected to the seal plate.
 11. The torque converter according to claim1, wherein the seal plate is connected to the piston plate at an outerdiameter thereof.
 12. A torque converter, comprising: a cover arrangedto receive torque; an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatablyconnected to the cover; a turbine in fluid communication with theimpeller and including a turbine shell; a lock-up clutch including apiston plate; an output hub connected to the turbine shell and arrangedto non-rotatably connect to a transmission input shaft; a seal platedisposed, at least partially, axially between the piston plate and theturbine shell, wherein the seal plate is connected to the cover and thepiston plate; a flow plate connected to the seal plate and disposedaxially between the seal plate and the turbine shell; and a through-borebounded in first and second opposite radial directions by the sealplate, wherein a first chamber is bounded at least in part by the pistonplate and the seal plate and a second chamber is bounded at least inpart by the cover, the seal plate, and the piston plate; wherein: afirst flow path is fluidly connected to the first chamber, the firstflow path including a portion bounded in part by the seal plate and theflow plate; and a second flow path is fluidly connected to the secondchamber and sealed from the first flow path, wherein the second flowpath passes through the through-bore.
 13. The torque converter accordingto claim 12, wherein for a lock-up mode the piston plate isnon-rotatably connected to the cover and pressurized fluid is arrangedto flow through the first flow path into the first chamber to displacethe piston plate in a first axial direction toward the cover.
 14. Thetorque converter according to claim 13, wherein for a torque convertermode pressurized fluid is arranged to flow through the second flow pathpassing through the through-bore into the second chamber to displace thepiston plate in a second axial direction away from the cover todisconnect the piston plate from the cover.
 15. The torque converteraccording to claim 12, wherein the output hub includes an openingextending axially therethrough, the second flow path passes through theopening, and the second flow path includes a portion bounded in part bythe flow plate and the output hub.
 16. The torque converter according toclaim 12, wherein the seal plate includes an opening extending axiallytherethrough and the first flow path passes through the opening into thefirst chamber.
 17. The torque converter according to claim 12, whereinthe seal plate is sealed to the piston plate at an outer diameterthereof and sealed to an inner end of the piston plate.
 18. The torqueconverter according to claim 17, wherein an inner end of the cover isfixed to the seal plate.
 19. The torque converter according to claim 12,wherein a rivet connects the seal plate with the flow plate and thethrough-bore is defined within the rivet.